Somali elders call Islamists to halt tense in a town

[Coeus]

The traditional elders and scholars of Bay and Bakol regions in souther Somalia have called for the Islamist fighters of Hizbul Islam and Al-shabab to halt the tense between the two sides in Bur-hakaba town, officials said on Sunday.

Forces loyal to Hizbul Islam organization had attacked Al-shabab fighters and took over the control of Bur-hakaba town on Saturday as the two rivals exchanged heavy gunfire that caused more casualties of deaths and injuries of the fighting.

Abdikarim Ibrahim, the chairperson of the traditional elders of Digil and Mirifle clans said that they had held meeting in Baidoa town, the centre of Bay region, a stronghold of Al-shabab fighters in southern Somalia adding that they had unanimously suggested to the Islamist rivals to respect the civilians and cease the power struggle of the town where each sides fights its control.

On the other hand the elders had accused the administration of the semi-autonomous region of Puntland for committing intimidations against the people from southern Somalia calling for Puntland to halt the aimless killing and torture against the southerners in Puntland.

Mr. Abdikarain had expressed concern over what he called brutal actions against from Bay and Bakol regions in Puntland administration adding that they had contacted with the traditional elders of Puntland and suggested them to play crucial role for the defending the people from southern in the region.